Incorporating product scale testing into fire safety science

While characterising the fire behaviour of individual materials can be tied to flammability theory, the interaction of various materials increases the complexity of quantifying the fire behaviour of products.

System interactions (i.e., between individual elements of a product/system) have been shown to act as a controlling mechanism for fire growth in EWS. This includes heat and mass transport effects induced by ventilated rainscreen systems, or the mechanical failure of fasteners/components in EWS.

This study aims to: 

• Quantify fire growth in exterior wall systems (e.g., ventilated rainscreen systems, building-integrated photovoltaic systems) with a focus on system interactions between elements in the EWS
• Evaluate the ability to test the fire behaviour of EWS at a range of length scales (bench-scale to large-scale) and identify the interaction between material, product and system performance
• Provide the foundation for simple analytical tools to model the fire behaviour of exterior wall systems

The project will be carried out in the fire safety engineering group in the School of Civil Engineering at the University of Queensland (UQ Fire). The candidate will have access to all of the experimental and other resources of the group, and the support of a project funded by the Australian Research Council in collaboration with a range of international partners.

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history

A working knowledge of fire engineering would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You'll demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of civil engineering, fire safety engineering, fire science, and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of fire science, fire engineering, and flammability is highly desirable.

You must submit an expression of interest (EOI) by 24 November, 2025 24 November, 2025.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. If you have any questions about whether the project is suitable for your research interests, contact Dr David Lange (d.lange@uq.edu.au).

When you apply

To apply, submit an expression of interest (EOI) for the program. You don't need to apply separately for the project or scholarship. How to submit an EOI

In your EOI, complete the ‘Scholarship/Sponsorship’ section with the following details:

1. Are you applying for an advertised project: 'Yes'
2. Project: 'Research project scholarship'
3. Scholarship Code Listed in the Advertisement: FIRE SAFETY-LANGE
4. Link to Scholarship Advertisement: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/incorporating-product-scale-testing-fire-safety-science

Submit an EOI